The Pirate Fairy Read Online Free PDF Page A

so I can find that bastard Rigby and make him pay for this.
    I’m a sitting duck . Larks knew of the murdering and marauding on the high seas. Denny was the one who had forced him to walk the plank, which most men did not survive. Denny was forced to submit to being chained from ankle to neck and wondered how he would survive any type of trial.
    Larks knew too much about him. And clearly hated him.
    “Somebody else take the pirate fairy,” Larks announced to the men lined up in canoes. “If I’m left alone with him I might make him walk the plank, and I want to see justice served.” He looked up at Denny, revulsion in his gaze.
    Denny tried to keep his expression neutral, even as he noticed the fear and panic among the bound and blindfolded men ashore.
    None of us will get out of here alive. Not a single sodding one of us .
    His tormentors forced Denny from the ship and pushed him into the water. Unable to move his hands or legs, he almost sank to the bottom, except that strong hands reached for him.
    “No,” Larks said. “Drowning’s too quick, too easy for you. I think you need to be sodomized by eight men. But you might like that, knowing you.” He glanced down and shook his head when he saw Denny’s tented trousers. “You dirty sod, you.”

Chapter Three
     
     
     
    Merritt panicked. He crawled around the side of the house, his heart thundering so loudly he was certain both Gremma and Fortunata would hear him. He hid underneath the fronds of a dense fern, catching snatches of their conversation. He didn’t know what to think as Fortunata railed about the dead horse.
    “How am I supposed to get back to the palace now? Walk?” she screeched. His sister’s long, curly blonde hair cascaded down her back. For two people who were twins, she and Merritt couldn’t have been more different. Though her face was beautiful, her black heart constantly surprised him. And yet, she was capable of goodness and that was why he’d never given up on her.
    “I don’t know, my lady. Look at this poor creature’s face. He died an agonizing death.”
    “So what? I can’t walk all the way back.”
    Typical Fortunata. Thinks of nothing but herself .
    “My lady, the horse appears poisoned.” Gremma sounded petrified.
    “Well, he ate the wrong grass. Stupid animal.”
    “But there is nothing here that would ever harm an animal. I would never—”
    “ You do not have dominion over this kingdom. I do.” Fortunata’s imperious tone had Merritt rolling his eyes. He was angry now. It was obvious that his trusted Elvin was a snake in elf’s clothing.
    He tried to kill me. I can never go back to the palace. I’ve been so stupid. I let my grief overpower me and I let her use my powers. Without them, she is nothing. She needs me, and I need her. Damn it. I haven’t exercised my powers in so long because I believed Denny was safe. But he isn’t. She says he’s marked for death.
    A light rain fell, and he huddled under the fern’s massive leaves. Fortunata and Gremma continued their strange discussion. It was harder to hear in the rain, but the good thing was it also disguised his sharp breathing and any slight noise he might make. The two women walked toward the forest. He held his breath as he caught a glimpse of Fortunata’s swishing, burgundy-colored gown. Gremma seemed dressed in rags.
    Why does such a powerful witch dress like that? And why doesn’t she do something about her hands and hair?
    He crawled to the side of the house once more and listened. No sound of female voices. He stood and made his way to the front door, but when he turned the handle, it wouldn’t open. How frustrating. He peered through the open windows, pushing aside the lace fabric over the biggest one on the other side of the house. He was astonished to see an altar above the fireplace. Upon it was a gold chain Merritt recognized as his own. Beside it was a black candle smeared with red liquid. Blood. Beside it was a pair of shoes, also his